Photo: Collected

By Md Aminul Islam

DHAKA, May 25, 2026 (BSS) - The government has taken a series of initiatives ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to ensure proper management of sacrificial animal hides by fixing new prices, strengthening preservation efforts and tightening measures to prevent smuggling and disorder.

This year, the price of raw cowhide has been fixed at Tk 62-67 per square foot in Dhaka and Tk 57-62 outside the capital, marking an increase of around Tk 2 per square foot from last year. 

'Khashi' hides have been priced at Tk 25-30 per square foot, while goat (Bakri) hides will sell at Tk 22-25 per square foot.

According to leather sector insiders, the size of cowhide usually ranges between 20 and 45 square feet depending on the size of the animal, meaning a single cowhide may cost between Tk 1,200 and Tk 3,500.

To ensure proper collection and preservation, the government has launched nationwide awareness campaigns through television commercials, social media, banners, leaflets and SMS services. 

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Leather Cell Deputy Director Md Mizanur Rahman told BSS that around 200,000 leaflets would be distributed across the country.

To maintain discipline in leather industrial zones and manage the capacity of the central effluent treatment plant (CETP), the government has banned the entry of raw hides into Dhaka from outside districts for seven days after Eid. 

Law enforcement agencies will intensify monitoring at key entry points and toll plazas during the period.

District administrations have been instructed to ensure local collection and preservation of hides with adequate salt and arrange temporary storage facilities if needed.

A joint monitoring team comprising officials from the industries, commerce, fisheries and livestock ministries and the Public Security Division will supervise overall hide management activities, including pricing, transport and storage.

Meanwhile, the Department of Livestock Services said more than 15,000 professional and nearly 23,000 non-professional butchers have been trained nationwide on hygienic skinning and preservation of sacrificial animal hides.